Installing my springs tommorow

[Honest_Bob]

I'll be installing the springs for my 05 wrx wagon tommorow as long as its not pouring rain. I soaked all four top nuts with pb blaster this afternoon hopeing to avoid having to much trouble with them. I got a large breaker bar and, air impact gun and 6mm allen key socket ready. I've read a few tutorials but just wondering if you guys had any usefull input.

The marking for the camber I am a little confused about, and I'm not shure how to decypher wich end of the spring is the top and wich is the bottom. I'm guessing install them with the writing on the springs readable.

Thanks

[TROLL]

the strut top nuts dont rust or bind, its just that without the proper tool you have to fight to get them off of the strut shaft because it spins freely when you try to loosen the nut at the top of it. try to remember to break them loose just a bit before you even jack the car up, it might help. or air tools will bust them off.
the place that you want to PB Blast are the lower 2 bolts on each strut... those can be stubborn sometimes.
as for marking for the camber, thats the top bolt on the lower strut mount on each front. just draw a line across the head of the bolt and onto the lower strut mount too so you know how to line them back up. if you have or can get a set of camber bolts for the rear to install at the same time that will help with getting a decent alignment.
springs... the flat side of the spring faces up for all models i believe. the bottom will have an uneven coil which fits into the lower spring perch. should be pretty intuitive i believe...
any other questions just post em up good luck
bryan

[Honest_Bob]

Ok so I have absolutly stripped out the 6mm allen key thing in the middle of the nut. Didnt even come loose. Whats next? New strut?

I was retarded and didnt loosen it while it was attached to the car.

[Honest_Bob]

Yep, I'm ****ed. Gonna have to order a new strut. easier than an upipe install my ****ing ass.

[WRXD]

Originally Posted by Honest_Bob

Yep, I'm ****ed. Gonna have to order a new strut. easier than an upipe install my ****ing ass.

im sorry to hear about your bad luck. When I did my spring install, all I did was break two breaker bars trying to get the struts off of the rear. An uppipe is easier than springs IMO, I dont know who told you that. Most people on this forum don't install things themselves.

[TROLL]

hey bob... if you get air tools you should be able to get the nut off... i'll pm you my number so we can try and talk about what to do... dont lose all hope, i think you can still get it done... i dont even use that allen key thing half the time on spring installs.
bryan

[teh DIRT]

yeah ive never ever used that allen key malarkey.

Grab a good hold of that strut shaft with a dry hand. Slap the impact gun on that sucker and itl come off. Your strut isnt ruined mang.

5 spring installs and counting.

[Honest_Bob]

Its deffinitly ruined, I'll be picking another one up hopefully tommorow or tuesday depending on if the dealerships are open. I did the other rear and it was a piece of cake after Area 1320 loosened those bastards up with an air gun. It was a valuable lesson learned.

[Wiisass]

What do you mean ruined? If the inside allen key area is just stripped that shouldn't matter too much if it's designed the way I think it is. If you beat the **** out of it and messed up the outside threads then I would call that ruined.You should be able to get the nut off. Just find out someway, impacts, etc, should be able to do it. Otherwise depending on how old the other shock is, it would be best to replace both. I don't know how the life is on the stock dampers is, but having a fresh one and one that's a little worn out could make handling a little funny. But they are stock dampers, so they probably are pretty weak to begin with, so it might not be a huge difference, but it's something to consider.

[TROLL]

Originally Posted by Wiisass

If you beat the **** out of it and messed up the outside threads then I would call that ruined.

based on his post on nasioc, you seem to be just about dead on here... i didnt catch him soon enough i guess.

[Honest_Bob]

I tried hammering a slightly bigger allen wrench in there, cracked it. Also tried pliers in a desperate attempt. Live and learn.
I only got 28k miles on the shocks so I hope I will be alright.

[gary]

Ohh man I didn't think they would be that bad... sorry to hear it didn't work out. =(

[Ender81]

Can't wait to see them and hear the story on Tuesday

[Honest_Bob]

I dont know that I'll have the wagon running by tuesday as all the parts departments are closed today.

[D Money]

Where is that area 1320 place? I heard they come to your house and roll your fenders for some cash. lol

[Honest_Bob]

In Nazareth zip code 18064

www.area1320.com

Very good guys.

[D Money]

Thanks alot bro!

[Honest_Bob]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention they rolled my fenders and did a very nice job. Uniform and no paint cracked.